Hygiene compliance monitor for a dispensing container

ABSTRACT

A hygiene compliance monitor for a dispensing container that dispenses material when a dispensing nozzle is actuated, includes a flexible main section having a receiving aperture through which the dispensing nozzle extends, so as to enable the main section to be removably attached to the dispensing container. Extending from the main section is a secondary section that is terminated by an attachment sleeve that is configured to removably retain the dispensing nozzle therein. A token, such as a magnet, is carried by the attachment sleeve and is detected by a sensor carried by the main section. Thus, when the dispensing nozzle is actuated to dispense material, the sensor detects the presence and non-presence of the token and accordingly updates a count value that is presented on a display that represents the number of actuations of the dispensing nozzle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/607,904 filed on Sep. 10, 2012 now U.S. Pat. No. 9,131,811, whichclaims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/537,722 filedon Sep. 22, 2011, whereby the content of each application isincorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to dispensing containers thatdispense material, such as soap. Particularly, the present inventionrelates to a hygiene compliance monitor for a dispensing container, suchas a disposable or refillable dispensing container. More particularly,the present invention relates to a hygiene compliance monitor thatprovides a display to identify the number of hygiene events that havebeen performed at a dispensing container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recently, the public has become increasingly concerned with disease andits transmission, and as such, there is an increased awareness of theimportance of cleansing and hygiene in general. For example, withrespect to the transmission of E. coli in the food services industry,the rhinovirus in elementary schools, and nosocomial diseases withinhealthcare facilities, numerous studies have cited hand hygiene as aneffective measure to guard against disease transmission. In response,the health care industry, the food services industry, and the hotel andtravel industries have been forced to examine their protocols andprocedures to ensure that their personnel adopt hand-sanitizing habitsthat are efficacious in the prevention of disease transmission.

In response, as an effort to provide sufficient opportunities forindividuals to have access to soap and sanitizers, many institutions andindustries have provided numerous disposable or refillable (reusable)dispensing containers of sanitizer and/or soap to facilitate individualsin their efforts to sanitize and/or wash their hands. And while theavailability of such dispensing containers has increased theopportunities for individuals to wash and/or sanitize their hands, thereis still a lack of compliance with predetermined hand washing hygienestandards. However, to minimize the potential transmission of bacteriaand/or viruses by hand washing and sanitization, full compliance withhygiene standards is required, as the failure of one individual toproperly sanitize his or her hands can negate the efforts of others whocome in contact with such individuals. Unfortunately, to ensurecompliance with predetermined hygiene standards, current hygienecompliance monitoring systems that are configured to track hygienecompliance of users require the use of one or more permanently-installedor mounted soap/sanitizer dispensers. Unfortunately, suchpermanently-installed dispensers are costly and typically requirespecialized training to administrate. Moreover, integrating hygienecompliance monitoring functionality provided by suchpermanently-installed dispensers into each disposable or refillabledispensing container would impart a substantial cost to the manufactureof otherwise inexpensive dispensing containers. Thus, the widespread useof such costly dispensing containers would limit their use, which isunwanted.

Therefore, there is a need for a hygiene compliance monitor that isconfigured to be removably attached to a dispensing container, such as arefillable or disposable dispensing container or other portabledispensing container. In addition, there is a need for a self-poweredhygiene compliance monitor for a dispensing container. Furthermore,there is a need for a hygiene compliance monitor for a dispensingcontainer that is low-cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In light of the foregoing, it is one aspect of the one aspect thepresent invention to provide a hygiene compliance monitor for adispensing container.

It is another aspect the present invention to provide a hygienecompliance monitor for a dispensing container that has a nozzle fromwhich to dispense liquid material. The compliance monitor includes anelongated main section that has opposed ends that are configured to beremovably attached to each other. A receiving aperture is disposedthrough the main section to receive the nozzle of the dispensingcontainer therethrough. The compliance monitor also includes acontroller, which is carried by the main section and coupled to a sensorand a display. Extending from the main section is a secondary sectionthat includes a sleeve adapted to receive the nozzle of the dispensingcontainer. The sleeve also carries a magnet, such that as the nozzle isactuated, the presence and non-presence of the magnet is detected by thesensor to update a count value at the controller, whereupon it ispresented on the display.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the present invention willbecome better understood with regard to the following description andaccompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hygiene compliance monitor for adispensing container in which a magnet carried by an attachment sleeveis detected by a magnetic sensor in accordance with the concepts of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the hygiene compliance monitor inaccordance with the concepts of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the hygiene compliance monitor inaccordance with the concepts of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the dispensing container and a retainerutilized with the hygiene compliance monitor in accordance with theconcepts of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the hygiene compliance monitor attachedto the dispensing container and the retainer, whereby the magnet carriedby the attachment sleeve is not detected by the magnetic sensor inaccordance with the concepts of the present invention;

FIG. 4C is a perspective view of the hygiene compliance monitor showingthat the magnet carried by the attachment sleeve is detected by themagnetic sensor in accordance with the concepts of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the hygienecompliance monitor in accordance with the concepts of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the alternative hygiene compliancemonitor showing a sensing section having a magnet and a magnetic sensordisposed thereon in accordance with the concepts of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6B is an elevational view of the sensing section of the alternativehygiene compliance monitor that is attached to the dispensing nozzle ofthe dispensing container showing that the magnet is not detected by themagnetic sensor in accordance with the concepts of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6C is an elevational view of the sensing section of the alternativehygiene compliance monitor that is attached to the dispensing nozzle ofthe dispensing container showing that the magnet is detected by themagnetic sensor in accordance with the concepts of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the alternative hygiene compliancemonitor attached to the dispensing container and to a retainer inaccordance with the concepts of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative hygiene compliancemonitor that utilizes a pivoting actuation arm in accordance with theconcepts of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the alternative hygiene compliance monitorin accordance with the concepts of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of base plate of an actuation housingprovided by the hygiene compliance monitor in accordance with theconcepts of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of an access plate configured to beattached to the base plate in accordance with the concepts of thepresent invention;

FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of the access plate in accordancewith the concepts of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is an elevational view of the inner surface of the access plateand actuation arm in accordance with the concepts of the presentinvention;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the actuation housing and actuationarm in accordance with the concepts of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the alternative hygiene compliancemonitor having a dispensing container installed therein in accordancewith the concepts of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the alternative hygiene compliancemonitor with the actuation arm in operative engagement with a nozzleprovided by the dispensing container in accordance with the concepts ofthe present invention; and

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the hygiene compliance monitor with theaccess plate removed from the actuation housing and the actuation arm inoperative engagement with the nozzle of the dispensing container inaccordance with the concepts of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A hygiene compliance monitor for a dispensing container 10 is generallyreferred to by the numeral 20, as shown in FIGS. 1-4 of the drawings.The dispensing container 10, shown clearly in FIG. 4A, includes a vessel30 that holds any desired liquid material, such as soap, sanitizer, ormoisturizer for example. In one aspect, it should be appreciated thatthe dispensing container 10 may comprise any suitable container, such asa disposable or refillable dispensing container or portable container.Extending from one end of the vessel 30 is a neck 32 that opens into avoid 34 created by the vessel 30. A pump assembly 50 is threadablyattached to the neck 32 by a collar 54 so as to enable users to pumpmaterial out of the vessel 30 and into their hands when actuated. Thecollar 54 includes a base end 55 and an opposed top end 56, whereby anannular collar neck 57 extends from the top end 56. Extending throughthe collar neck 57 is a tube 58 that is attached at one end to a nozzleneck 59 provided by a pump or dispensing nozzle 60 at one end, while theother end of the tube 58 is configured to be in fluid communication withthe liquid material carried in the void 34 of the vessel 30 of thedispensing container 10.

Specifically, the pump or dispensing nozzle 60 includes a substantiallyplanar engagement base 70 from which extends a nozzle end 74 that tapersfrom the engagement base 70 to a nozzle tip 80, and which curvesdownward away from the engagement base 70. As such, the tapered andcurved shape of the nozzle end 74 of the pump nozzle 60 allows thedispensed material to be directed downward toward the hands of a userwhen material is dispensed. Also extending from the nozzle base 70 at asubstantially right angle is the nozzle neck 59 that includes a threadedsection 81 that is configured to be threadably received by the collarneck 57 of the collar 54 so as to threadably lock the pump nozzle 60thereto. To dispense material from the dispensing container 10, the pumpnozzle 60 is compressed by pressing the engagement base 70, whereuponliquid material is drawn from the tube 58 out of the dispensingcontainer 10 and is dispensed from the nozzle tip 80 of the nozzle end74. That is, when the dispensing nozzle 60 is actuated, it movesrelative to the collar 54.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, the hygiene compliance monitor 20 comprisesa body 90 having an elongated main section 100 having an inner surface110 and an opposed outer surface 120. The main section 100 also includesopposed ends 130 and 140, whereby a lock slot 160 is disposed at end 130and a plurality of spaced engagement tabs 170 that extend from the outersurface 120 of the main section 100 at a substantially right angle aredisposed at end 140. Disposed through the main section 100 about itsmidpoint is a receiving aperture 200 that is adapted to receive the pumpassembly 50 of the dispensing container 10 therethrough. As such, thereceiving aperture 200 separates the elongated main section 100 intointermediate sections 190A and 190B, such that the intermediate section190A is disposed between end 130 and the receiving aperture 200, and theintermediate section 190B is disposed between the end 140 and thereceiving aperture 200.

Extending from about the approximate midpoint of the main section 100 ofthe body 90 at a substantially right angle is an elongated secondarysection 210 that is terminated at its free end 220 by an attachmentsleeve 250. The attachment sleeve 250 includes a receiving end 260 thatis substantially opposite to an exit end 270 and is tapered such thatthe exit end 270 has a smaller cross-sectional area than the receivingend 260. Specifically, the attachment sleeve 250 comprises upper andlower spaced trapezoidal or tapered sections 280 and 290 havingrespective parallel edges 300,310 and 320,330 and respective anglededges 340,350 and 360,370. In addition, the upper and lower trapezoidalor tapered sections 280 and 290 are joined by an inner lateral section400 that extends between the angled edge 340 of the upper section 280and the angled edge 360 of the lower section 290, and an outer lateralsection 410 that extends between the angled edge 350 of the uppersection 280 and the angled edge 370 of the lower section 290.Specifically, the inner lateral section 400 has opposed ends 411 and412, while the outer lateral section 410 has opposed ends 414 and 416.As such, edges 310,330,412,416 define the receiving end 260 of thesleeve 250, while the edges 300,320,411,414 define the exit end 270 ofthe sleeve 250. Furthermore, the upper and lower trapezoidal or taperedsections 280,290 and the lateral sections 400,410 of the attachmentsleeve 250 form a receiving cavity 450 that is dimensioned to receivethe nozzle end 74 of the pump nozzle 60 therethrough to threadablyattach or secure the attachment sleeve 250 to the pump nozzle 60. Itshould be appreciated that the upper and lower sections 280,290 and/orthe lateral sections 400,410 may be curved or otherwise configured toaccommodate the curvature or tapered profile of the nozzle end 74 of thedispensing container 10. It should also be appreciated that the mainsection 100 and the secondary section 210 of the compliance monitor 20may be formed from any suitable flexible material, such as silicone,rubber, plastic, and the like. Moreover, the main section 100 may beformed of stretchable material, which allows the compliance monitor 20to be securely attached to dispensing containers 10 of various shapesand sizes.

Disposed in the lower trapezoidal section 290 of the attachment sleeve250 is a token 460, such as a magnet, as shown in FIG. 2, that isconfigured to be detected by a detection circuit 500 that is disposedwithin the intermediate section 190B of the main section 100 of thehygiene compliance monitor 20. Specifically, the detection circuit 500includes a controller 520 that includes the necessary hardware and/orsoftware to carry out the functions to be discussed. Coupled to thecontroller 520 is a sensor 530, such as a magnetic sensor or hallsensor, that is mounted in the intermediate section 190B of the mainsection 100 adjacent to the receiving aperture 200, and which isconfigured to detect the presence and non-presence of the magnet 460that is carried by the attachment sleeve 250. It should be appreciatedthat the token 460 may comprise any suitable device, such as a magnet,an RFID (radio frequency identification) data tag, or bar code forexample that is detectable by the sensor 530. As such, the sensor 530may comprise any suitable sensor, such as a magnetic or hall sensor, anRFID reader; a bar code scanner, or IR (infrared sensor) for examplethat is suitable for detecting the presence and non-presence of thetoken 460. A display 540, such as an LCD (liquid crystal display) or anyother suitable display, is also coupled to the controller 520 to presentvarious hygiene compliance data in a manner to be discussed. Moreover, apower source 560 is coupled to the controller 520 to power the detectioncircuit 500 and may comprise any suitable power source, such as abattery or photovoltaic cell for example.

In order to utilize the compliance monitor 20, the dispensing container10 is placed in a retainer 600, as shown in FIGS. 4A-C. The retainer 600comprises a lattice structure that includes a base 610 having opposedfront and rear members 620 and 622 that are joined by opposed lateralmembers 630 and 632. Extending from the front member 620 of the base 610at a substantially right angle are a pair of spaced offset members 640and 642 that form a receiving slot 650 therebetween. Attached to theoffset members 640,642 is a retention section 660 that includes spacedretention arms 670 and 672 that extend upward from a base arm 673 andthat are attached to the offset members 640 and 642. The retention arms670 and 672 are joined by a rear arm 680 that is curved or contoured toaccommodate the cross-sectional profile of the dispensing container 10.Attached to the base 610 and to the retention section 680 is anattachment arm or hanger 690, which includes an attachment hook section700. As such, the attachment hook section 700 facilitates the attachmentof the retainer 600 to various structures where the presence of thedispensing container 10 is desired. Moreover, the base 610 and theretention section 660 serve to form a receiving cavity 692 that isconfigured to receive and retain the dispensing container 10 within theretainer 600, while allowing the compliance monitor 20 to be placedthrough the receiving slot 650, so as to retain the dispensing container10 to the retainer 600.

Thus, with the components of the dispensing container 10, the compliancemonitor 20, and the retainer 600 set forth, the manner of placing thecompliance monitor 20 into use will now be presented. Initially, thedispensing container 10 is placed in the receiving cavity 692 of theretainer 600, while the pump nozzle 60 of the pump assembly 50 is placedthrough the receiving aperture 200 of the compliance monitor 20, suchthat the inner surface 110 of the main section 100 is adjacent to thedispensing container 10. That is, the compliance monitor 20 is attachedto the dispensing container 10, such that the intermediate section 190Ais proximate to a rear surface 694 of the dispensing container 10, andthe intermediate section 190B is adjacent to a front surface 696 of thedispensing container 10. Once the compliance monitor 20 is positioned,the attachment sleeve 250 is then placed over and secured to the nozzleend 74 of the pump nozzle 60 of the dispensing container 10. That is,the nozzle end 74 of the pump nozzle 60 is placed within the receivingcavity 450 of the attachment sleeve 250, such that the nozzle tip 80extends beyond the exit end 270, thus securing the nozzle end 74 to theattachment sleeve 250.

Continuing, the intermediate section 190B is placed through the slot 650of the retainer 600, while the intermediate section 190A is placed sothat it extends over the retention section 660 and the rear member 622of the base 610. Next, the end 140 of the intermediate section 190B isplaced through the lock slot 160 of the intermediate section 190A,whereupon the engagement tabs 170 engage the slot 160, thereby lockingthe intermediate sections 190A and 190B together and retaining thecompliance monitor 20 to the dispensing container 10 and to the retainer600.

Thus, during operation of the compliance monitor 20, the pump nozzle 60is depressed in order to dispense liquid material, such as soap,sanitizer, or moisturizer for example, from the dispensing container 10.As the pump nozzle 60 is compressed from its normal position shown inFIG. 4B, the token 460, such as a magnet for example, in the attachmentsleeve 250 is moved so that it is brought within the detection range ofthe magnetic sensor 530, as shown in FIG. 4C. Once the presence of thetoken 460 is detected, the controller 520 updates an internal counter,which maintains an updated count value of the total number of pumpnozzle 60 actuations or depressions, which signifies the number ofcompleted hand hygiene events that have occurred, and then presents itupon the display 540. Furthermore, while the compliance monitor 20 isdiscussed as being used in association with the retainer 600, it shouldbe appreciated that such is not required and that the compliance monitor20 may be directly attached to the dispensing container 10 without theuse of the retainer 600. It is also contemplated that the vessel 30 ofthe dispensing container 10 may be formed or configured so that thecompliance monitor 20 may be readily attached in a compatible manner, soas to obviate the need for use of the retainer 600.

It should also be appreciated that while the compliance monitor 20 andretainer 600 is shown for use on a dispensing container 10 in which thevessel 30 has a substantially rectangular cross-section, the compliancemonitor 20 and the retainer 600 may be readily modified to acceptdispensing containers 10 that have vessels 30 of any cross-sectionalshape, such as curvilinear, rectilinear, or a combination of both.

An alternative hygiene compliance monitor is referred to by numeral 700,as shown in FIG. 5-7 of the drawings. Specifically, the compliancemonitor 700 comprises a housing 710 having opposed inner and outersurfaces 712 and 714. The housing 710 is bounded by substantiallyparallel lateral edges 720 and 722 that are joined by upper and loweredges 730 and 732. Extending from the lower edge 732 of the housing 710at a point adjacent to the lateral edges 720,722 are respective arms 740and 742 that are terminated by respective retention channels 750 and752. Disposed in the housing 710 of the compliance monitor 700 is thecontroller 520, display 540, and power source 560 of the detectioncircuit 500, as previously discussed. Specifically, the display 540 isprovided in the outer surface 714 of the housing 710. In one aspect, thehousing 710 may also include support sections 754 and 756 that extendfrom respective arms 740 and 742 and which extend away from the outersurface 712 of the housing 710.

Extending from the lower edge 732 of the housing 710 is a flexibledetection assembly 800. The detection assembly 800 comprises a primarysection 801 having opposed edges 802 and 804 and opposed inner and outersurfaces 806,807. The detection assembly 800 also includes a sensingsection 810 having opposed ends 818 and 819 and opposed inner and outersurfaces 820,822. Continuing, edge 804 of the primary section 801 isattached to the sensing section 810 about its midpoint, using anysuitable means of fixation, such as adhesive, thermal welding, or thelike. As such, the attachment of the primary section 801 to the sensingsection 810 separates the sensing section 810 into an upper sectiondesignated as 810A that is disposed between end 818 of the sensingsection 810 and the primary section 801, and a lower section designatedas 810B that is disposed between end 819 of the sensing section 810 andthe primary section 801. Furthermore, the primary section 801 and thesensing section 810 are formed from any suitable flexible material, suchas flexible plastic, rubber, silicone, or the like.

The sensing section 810 comprises upper and lower flexible attachmentclips 830 and 840 that are attached at respective ends 818,819 of thesensing section 810. The upper and lower attachment clips 830,840 eachcomprise respective arcuate gripping arms 860A,860B and 870A,870B thatare separated by respective receiving slots 880A and 880B, which definerespective annular retention apertures 890A and 890B. The token 460,such as a magnet for example, is carried on the outer surface 822 of thesensing section 810B proximate to the lower attachment clip 840, whilethe sensor 530, such as a magnetic sensor, is carried on the outersurface 822 of the sensing section 810A proximate to the upperattachment clip 830.

Specifically, the slots 880A,880B allow the nozzle neck 59 and thecollar neck 57 of the dispensing container 10 to be receivedtherethrough, so that the retention apertures 890A and 890B provided byrespective upper and lower clips 830,840 are able to receive thethreaded section 81 of the nozzle neck 59 and the collar neck 57respectively therein, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. Furthermore, when theattachment clips 830 and 840 are attached to the dispensing container 10that is not being used, the sections 810A and 810B of the sensingsection 810 are spaced apart, as shown in FIG. 6B, whereby the magnet460 is not detected by the magnetic sensor 530. However, when the nozzle60 is depressed to dispense material, the sensing section 810 is flexedsuch that sections 810A and 810B are substantially parallel to eachother, whereby the magnetic sensor 530 is brought into proximity of themagnet 460, as shown in FIG. 6C, whereupon the magnetic sensor 530 sendsa signal to the controller 520 to increment a count value that ispresented on the display 540, as previously discussed.

It is also contemplated that the compliance monitor 700 is attached to aretainer 900, as shown in FIG. 7. Specifically, the retainer 900includes a lattice structure having a base 910 from which extend frontretention arms 920A and 920B and rear retention arms 930A and 930B (notshown). In addition, the front and rear arms 920A,930A are joined by alateral arm 940, and the front and rear arms 920B,930B are joined by alateral arm 950. The arms 920-950 are spaced so as to form a receivingcavity 960 that is dimensioned to removably receive the dispensingcontainer 10 therein. Attached to the rear retention arm 930 is a hanger970 that is dimensioned to allow the retainer 900 to be attached to anydesired structure where the presence of the dispensing container 10 isdesired. In one aspect, the rear retention arms 930A-B are dimensionedto be received within the retention channels 750,752 of respective arms740,742 of the compliance monitor 700 and attached thereto via asnap-fit or compression connection.

In yet another embodiment an alternative hygiene compliance monitor isreferred to by numeral 1000, as shown in FIGS. 8-17 of the drawings. Thehygiene compliance monitor 1000 comprises a retaining base 1010 having abase aperture 1020 and a retention aperture 1030 to retain a dispensingcontainer 1040 therein. The dispensing container 1040 includes a vessel1041 having a neck collar 1050 from which extends a manually-actuatedpump 1060. The pump 1060 includes a straw 1062 that extends through theneck collar 1050 and an elongated dispensing nozzle 1070 that extendstherefrom at a substantially right angle. The dispensing container 1040is configured to dispense any suitable material from the dispensingnozzle 1070, such as soap, sanitizer, moisturizer, or the like when thepump 1060 is actuated. Furthermore, while the dispensing container 1040is shown with a manually-actuated pump 1060, it should be appreciatedthat the pump 1060 may be configured as an automated system, which isoperatively engaged upon the actuation of a switch/button or thedetection of the presence of a user's hand. That is, when the dispensingnozzle 1070 is actuated, it moves relative to the collar 1050.

The retaining base 1010 of the compliance monitor 1000 also includes anactuation housing 1100. The actuation housing 1100 comprises a baseplate 1120 and an access plate 1130 that are joined via any suitablefastener. The base plate 1120, shown clearly in FIGS. 9-10, includesopposed inner and outer surfaces 1150 and 1160. A concave base pivotsurface 1170 is provided on the inner surface 1150 of the base plate1120, while a biasing aperture 1200 is disposed there beneath and isdimensioned to receive a spring 1210 or other biasing device therein.Positioned between the pivot surface 1170 and the receiving aperture1200 is a switch 1300, such as a microswitch or any other mechanicalswitch. The switch 1300 is coupled to a controller 1350 that includesthe necessary hardware and software for carrying out the variousfunctions to be discussed. The switch 1300 and controller 1350 aremounted on a circuit board 1400 that is attached to the inner surface1150 of the base plate 1120. Also coupled to the controller 1350 andmounted to the circuit board 1400 is an indicator 1410, which maycomprise a display, such as a numeric display. In one aspect, theindicator 1040 may comprise an LED (light emitting diode) display, LCD(liquid crystal display) display, or any other suitable indication ordisplay device. The controller 1350 is powered by a power source 1412,such as a replaceable battery, that is carried by the base plate 1120.

The access plate 1130, as shown in FIGS. 11-13, includes inner and outersurfaces 1420 and 1421, whereby the inner surface 1420 includes aconcave retaining pivot surface 1440 having a pivot aperture 1442disposed therethrough. The retaining pivot surface 1440 is positionedadjacent to and in axial alignment with the base pivot surface 1170 whenthe base plate 1120 and the access plate 1130 are attached together.Specifically, the base pivot surface 1170 and the retaining pivotsurface 1440 comprise concave surfaces that together form asubstantially spherical retaining cavity 1490, as shown in FIG. 14. Theouter surface 1421 of the access plate 1130 includes a pair of retainingarms 1492 that forms the retention aperture 1030 therebetween, which isconfigured to compressively retain the neck 1050 of the dispensingcontainer 1040. The access plate 1130 also includes a window 1496 thatis configured to be substantially aligned with the indicator 1410, so asto allow the operator of the compliance monitor 1000 to readily view thestatus of the indicator 1410.

The compliance monitor 1000 also includes an actuation arm 1500 that ispivotably carried by the retaining cavity 1490. In general, theactuation arm 1500 includes a support section 1510 from which anextension section 1520 extends at a substantially right angle therefrom,and an engagement section 1530 that extends from the extension section1520 at a substantially right angle. Specifically, the actuation arm1500 is configured such that the extension section 1520 extends from theend 1532 of the support section 1510 at a substantially right angle andis terminated at end 1534. Extending from end 1534 of the extensionsection 1520 at a substantially right angle is the engagement section1530, which terminates at end 1536. Specifically, the support section1510 includes ends 1531 and 1532, whereby a biasing member 1533dimensioned to engage the spring 1210 is disposed at end 1531. Disposedbetween the biasing member 1533 and the end 1532 is a substantiallyspherical member 1600 that is dimensioned to be pivotably receivedwithin the retaining cavity 1490. It should be appreciated that thesurface of the spherical member 1600 may include one or more recessedregions, so as to reduce the total amount of surface area of thespherical member 1600 that contacts the surfaces of the substantiallyspherical retaining cavity 1490. As such, the actuation arm 1500 isdisposed within the actuation housing 1100, such that the extensionsection 1520 extends through the pivot aperture 1442 of the access plate1130 at a substantially right angle, while the engagement section 1530extends therefrom so as to be substantially parallel to the housing1100. In particular, the extension section 1520 is pivotably joined tothe support section 1510 by a pivot 1610, thus allowing the engagementsection 1530 provided therewith to pivot or rotate. The pivot 1610,shown clearly in FIG. 9, comprises a cylindrical pivot section 1612,which extends from end 1532 and which is pivotably received within apivot aperture 1614 that is provided by the support section 1510. Itshould be appreciated that the pivot section 1612 and/or pivot aperture1614 includes tabs or other suitable means for pivotably retaining thesupport section 1510 to the extension section 1520. In addition, thebiasing member 1533 includes a curved engagement surface 1620 and aretention tab 1622 disposed therebeneath a rear surface 1624. The curvedengagement surface 1620 is dimensioned to engage the switch 1300 whenthe actuation arm 1500 is pivoted during operation of the monitor 1000.In addition, the retention tab 1622 serves to retain one end of thespring 1210 thereto as the spring is compressed and released as theactuation arm 1500 is pivoted during operation of the monitor 1000.

Thus, when the compliance monitor 100 is placed into use, the actuationarm 1500 is rotated via the pivot 1610 to an open position, shown inFIG. 15, so that the dispensing container 1040 can be readily insertedinto the receiving aperture 1020 of the retaining base 1010, while theneck 1050 of the dispensing container 1040 is received within theretention aperture 1030 and compressively retained thereby the retainingarms 1492. Once the dispensing container 1040 has been inserted into theretaining base 1010, the engagement section 1530 of the actuation arm1500 is rotated via the pivot 1610 so that it is placed underneath thedispensing nozzle 1070, as shown in FIG. 16. Specifically, theengagement section 1530 is rotated so that retention tabs 1640 and 1642extending from the engagement section 1530 are disposed on each side ofthe nozzle 1070, serving to trap or retain the nozzle 1070 therebetween.Once the engagement section 1530 is placed in position the dispensingcontainer 1040 may then be placed into use, whereupon the depression ofthe pump 1060 results not only in the dispensing of material from thenozzle 1070, but also results in the biasing member 1533 of the supportsection 1510 being pivoted, so that the curved engagement surface 1620engages the switch 1300 to indicate that a dispensing event has beencompleted, as shown in FIG. 17. The controller 1350 records theactuation of the switch 1300 and generates a count value identifying thetotal number of actuations of the pump 1060 that have occurred for agiven dispensing container 1040, which is visually presented to theoperator of the compliance monitor 1000 via the indicator 1410.

It is also contemplated that the hygiene compliance monitors 20, 700,and 1000 may include a data interface, such as a wired or wirelesscomputer network interface that is coupled to the correspondingcontroller 520, 1350, and that is configured to communicate with aremote computing device to enable the remote computing device to acquirethe count value data stored from the controllers 520, 1350.

It will, therefore, be appreciated that one advantage of one or moreembodiments of the present invention is that a hygiene compliancemonitor can be removably attached to a disposable or refillabledispensing container, such as a soap, sanitizer, or moisturizercontainer for example. Another advantage of the present invention isthat a hygiene compliance monitor for a dispensing container is able tobe quickly and readily installed to a dispenser without the use oftools. Still another advantage of the present invention is that ahygiene compliance monitor for a dispensing container can bemanufactured with low cost. Yet another advantage of the presentinvention is that a hygiene compliance monitor is configured so that itcan be attached to dispensers of various shapes and sizes. An additionaladvantage of the present invention is that the hygiene compliancemonitor utilizes a pivoting actuation arm that is configured to detectthe movement of a pump nozzle when it is actuated by a user to dispensematerial from a dispensing nozzle.

Thus, it can be seen that the objects of the present invention have beensatisfied by the structure and its method for use presented above. Whilein accordance with the Patent Statutes, only the best mode and preferredembodiments have been presented and described in detail, it beingunderstood that the invention is not limited thereto and thereby.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hygiene compliance monitor for attachment to adispensing container having a pump that dispenses material through adispensing nozzle when the dispensing nozzle is actuated, the hygienecompliance monitor comprises: an elongated first flexible section havinga receiving aperture disposed therethrough that is adapted to receivethe dispensing nozzle therethrough, said first flexible section having afirst and second end that are configured to be removably coupledtogether to retain said first flexible section to the dispensingcontainer; a second flexible section having a first end and a secondend, such that said first end of said second section is attached to saidfirst flexible section; an attachment sleeve attached to said second endof said second flexible section, said attachment sleeve adapted toremovably retain the dispensing nozzle of the dispensing containertherein; a sensor carried by said first flexible section; a tokencarried by said attachment sleeve, said sensor configured to detect thepresence and non-presence of said token, as said dispensing nozzle isactuated; a controller coupled to said sensor, said controllermaintaining a count value; and a data interface coupled to saidcontroller, said data interface adapted to be in operative communicationwith a remote computing device to enable the acquisition of said countvalue; wherein when the dispensing nozzle is actuated to dispensematerial from the dispensing container, said controller updates saidcount value based on the detection of the presence or non-presence ofsaid token.
 2. The hygiene compliance monitor of claim 1, furthercomprising: a housing having a receiving slot, said housing adapted toremovably retain the dispensing container therein; wherein saidreceiving slot is dimensioned to receive at least a portion of saidfirst flexible section therethrough, to attach said first flexiblesection to said housing.
 3. The hygiene compliance monitor of claim 2,wherein said housing further comprises: a base including a receivingslot; first and second retaining arms attached to said base, said firstand second retaining arms spaced apart to form a receiving cavity toremovably retain the dispensing container therein; and a hanger attachedto at least one of said first and second retaining arms.
 4. The hygienecompliance monitor of claim 1, wherein said token comprises a magnet. 5.The hygiene compliance monitor of claim 1, wherein said token comprisesa data tag.
 6. A hygiene compliance monitor for attachment to adispensing container having a dispensing nozzle that moves relative to acollar attached to the dispensing container, such that the dispensingnozzle dispenses material when actuated, the hygiene compliance monitorcomprises: a housing; a first flexible section, said first flexiblesection being terminated at each end by an attachment clip, wherein onesaid clip is adapted to be attached to the dispensing nozzle, and theother said clip is adapted to be attached to the collar of thedispensing container; a second flexible section extending from saidfirst flexible section to a first end that is attached to said housing;a token carried by said first flexible section; a sensor configured todetect said token, and said sensor carried by said first flexiblesection, such that said sensor detects the presence and non-presence ofsaid token as said dispensing nozzle is actuated; a controller carriedby said housing and coupled to said sensor, said controller configuredto maintain a count value; and a data interface coupled to saidcontroller, said data interface adapted to be in operative communicationwith a remote computing device to enable the acquisition of said countvalue; wherein when the dispensing nozzle is actuated to dispensematerial from the dispensing container, said controller updates saidcount value based on the detection of the presence or non-presence ofsaid token.
 7. The hygiene compliance monitor of claim 6, wherein saidtoken comprises a magnet.
 8. The hygiene compliance monitor of claim 6,wherein said token comprises a data tag.
 9. The hygiene compliancemonitor of claim 6, wherein said housing is adapted to removably retainthe dispensing container.
 10. A hygiene compliance monitor for adispensing container having a dispensing nozzle that moves relative to acollar attached to the dispensing container, such that the dispensingnozzle dispenses material when actuated, the hygiene compliance monitorcomprising: a housing configured to be attached to the dispensingcontainer; a controller carried by said housing, said controllermaintaining a count value; a switch coupled to said controller; a datainterface coupled to said controller, said data interface adapted to bein operative communication with a remote computing device to enable theacquisition of said count value; and an actuation arm pivotably carriedby said housing and in operative engagement with said switch, saidactuation arm configured to be moved into direct operative engagementwith the dispensing nozzle of the dispensing container; wherein as saidactuation arm is pivoted upon the actuation of the dispensing nozzle todispense material, said actuation arm toggles said switch to update saidcount value.
 11. The hygiene compliance monitor of claim 10, whereinsaid actuation arm comprises: a support section pivotably carried bysaid housing and configured to be in operative engagement with saidswitch; an extension section that extends from said support section; andan engagement section that extends from said extension section and thatis configured to be placed in operative engagement with the dispensingnozzle of the dispensing container.
 12. The hygiene compliance monitorof claim 11, further comprising: first and second retention tabsextending from said engagement section, said first and second retentiontabs being spaced apart, so as to be adjacent to each respective side ofthe dispensing nozzle.
 13. The hygiene compliance monitor of claim 11,wherein said extension section is configured to pivot relative to saidsupport section to allow the engagement section to be selectively placedin operative engagement with the dispensing nozzle of the dispensingcontainer.
 14. The hygiene compliance monitor of claim 10, furthercomprising first and second spaced retaining arms extending from saidhousing, said first and second retaining arms adapted to removablyretain the collar of the dispensing container.
 15. The hygienecompliance monitor of claim 10, wherein said housing includes a baseaperture adapted to carry at least a portion of the dispensing containertherein.